Please use this sub-forum to discuss any classic books or any very old fiction books or series.

Forum rules
You must limit each topic thread in this section to only one book or only one series. Make the title of the topic the name of the book, and if possible also include the author's name. If you want to allow spoilers, you must include the word spoilers in the title of the topic, otherwise spoilers are prohibited.

Wow, this is my first post in this forum! I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on Jane Eyre. I didn't read it until I was an adult but I fell in love immediately. Reading through these posts make me want to reread it and WH.

I think I have a similar experience to you. I first read Jane Eyre when I was in my teens and I hated it. The romance wasn't strong enough for me, the writing was draggy and it was a torture to sit through. I shelved it for many, many years and one day, in my early 20's, I picked it up again. I have loved it ever since. What was draggy writing to me now became a beautiful landscape painted with words. The strength of the romance at the heart of it came through more to me now.

At this point, I am re-reading Jane Eyre in the form of an audiobook by Thandie Newton. Love her narration!

I had never actually heard of Jane Eyre until I took a lit class in college. When I first heard the premise for the novel, I was a little turned off. But once I read it, I fell in love with it and have read it several times since then.

I love Jane Eyre. I had the same experience as a lot of other commenters, I was forced to read it in school and didn't care for it much, then rediscovered it as an adult. I'm actually considering leading a discussion on Jane Eyre for a book club.

Yes, I appreciate so many things more now than I did in my teens. Yet, it's good to introduce teens to things. "Jane Eyre" is brilliant I know, and I look forward to rereading it with the benefit of more life experience. Going to see a new musical version of it soon!

kaytie wrote:I love Jane Eyre! There's also a book called Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys that explores (in a very different style) the life of Bertha, the crazy woman in the attic, which is definitely worth reading.

The Wide Sargasso Sea is all I could think of when I read Jane Éyre. The way that Bertha is treated in WSS made me furious. So, reading Jane Éyre, I keep thinking of the poor woman who is trapped in the attic. Jane thinks she found love, but the jerk never says he is already married. Nor does he even plan to tell her. Then she returns??? The idea of coming back to a man who not only was dishonest but was going to make you fool is crazy to me. Jane returns to a broken man, a burned home, and her place as his care giver and wife. Why would someone want that when she could have freedom? Is the lure of a man in your bed so much? I didn't understand and I never will.

I love Jane Eyre! I first read it as a teenager in a Russian translation. I thought it was simply amazing! I later reread it several times in English, and had the same reaction. To me, this is the mark of a true classic - this book resonates with all ages and even transcends cultures.

'Jane Eyre', is a book for the classic book lovers like me I love reading it, I can even read it two times in a month, that's to say that it is worth reading and very enjoyable, you to read it if you've not.